When it comes to breakfast – the importance is in the name: breaking the fast. According to the Sleep Foundation, teenagers (14-17 years) should be getting 8-10 hours of sleep. That means that upon waking you have already spent at least that amount of time without food – the body’s number one fuel source. Prolonging that any further at such a crucial stage of development can lead to some of the common symptoms teens feel throughout the day including fatigue, poor memory, reduced focus, stress, the list goes on.Here’s whyThere is a growing body of evidence that suggests the importance of breakfast for teens on health and school/education outcomes. Consuming breakfast is associated with improved:Cognitive functionAttentionMemorySchool attendanceTest scores (this particular study looked at maths test scores)When you skip breakfast at any age, especially as a teen, you’re less likely to meet your daily dietary requirements and eat more foods that have a poor nutritional profile but high calorific value. I think of these foods as "empty meals". They are missed opportunities to load your body up with all the essential vitamins, nutrients, and minerals it needs to thrive. This can have the subsequent effect of contributing to your stress levels and mood throughout the day.Consuming a balanced breakfast containing quality carbohydrates/fibre, adequate protein, and a healthy source of fat is essential. This will help stabilise blood glucose (sugar) throughout the day, providing you with stable and steady energy – as opposed to an energy high from refined sugar-packed cereals that leave you feeling like you need a nap by lunchtime. When you stabilise your blood sugar/energy, you also subsequently support your hormones (which are already bouncing around throughout teenhood!). This will help you feel a little calmer, a little more collected, and a lot more yourself throughout the day.So, without further ado – let me share with you three of my favourite teen-friendly brekkies that will take you no time at all to make.2-Ingredient Oat PancakesI actually made this recipe up when I was 14! Like every teen, I loved a good pancake. But I wanted to create one that filled me up and hit all my nutritional needs. The two main ingredients are oats and an egg. That’s it. Easy is an understatement. Get the recipe here.3-Ingredient Berry SmoothieThis is as delicious and antioxidant-rich as an acai bowl, only so much more affordable! (Plus, you can make it at home.) Berries are an excellent breakfast fruit as they are low GI and high in fibre – meaning they too help stabilise energy and blood sugar. This blend-and-go smoothie is ready in less than a minute. Have it as is or turn it into a smoothie bowl and top with your favourite raw nuts, seeds and fruit for extra nutritional impact. Get the recipe here.No-Fuss Overnight OatsThere’s a lot to love about an overnight oat mix of any kind. Oats are a brilliant source of beta-glucans (a soluble fibre) that help lower LDL cholesterol and sustain day-long energy. My tip is to make a huge jar up of all the dry ingredients below and keep it stored in your cupboard like you do your cereal. That way, when you go to make this recipe, you just add the wet ingredients. How easy is that?Serves 1Ingredients:½ cup oats½ cup milk of choice2 tbsp yoghurt of choice – coconut yoghurt or natural yoghurt are great½ cup frozen mixed berries, to serve – any other fruit to top will also work1 tbsp nut butter, to serve, optionalOptional Extras:2 tbsp chia seeds2 tbsp raw cashews2 tbsp goji berries2 tbsp flax seeds2 tbsp crushed walnutsMethod:Combine oats, milk, yoghurt and extras (if adding any) to a mason jar or container. Mix to combine, then top with frozen berries and nut butter.Place in the fridge overnight and grab and go in the morning.This is a nice easy breakfast to make the night before school for an easy grab-and-go meal.ReferencesBenton, D., & Jarvis, M. (2007). The role of breakfast and a mid-morning snack on the ability of children to concentrate at school. Physiology & behavior, 90(2-3), 382–385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2006.09.029Chang, Z. S., Boolani, A., Conroy, D. A., Dunietz, T., & Jansen, E. C. (2021). 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